Finance Manager in Bedford - Morgan McKinley

(Progression to Head of Finance in 18 months)

Bedfordshire | On-site 5 Days a week | Permanent | No Hybrid working

Hours: Mon to Fri 08:30 to 5pm

We're working with a successful circa £30m turnover, family-owned business , looking to appoint a hands-on Finance Manager who is ready to step into a broader leadership role and grow into Head of Finance within the next 18 months.

This is not a corporate, process-heavy environment. It's a practical, collaborative SME, where people roll their sleeves up, work closely together, and genuinely make an impact.

This is a key hire for a lean, high-performing finance function. You'll lead a small team of four, stay close to the detail when needed, and work directly with the Managing Director and Commercial Director to shape budgets, forecasting, and commercial decision-making.

If you're currently operating in an SME environment and enjoy being close to the action - this role offers genuine influence, visibility, and career progression.

This is a genuinely hands-on leadership role, managing a team of four within a lean structure. You'll lead the function, but you'll also be comfortable stepping into the detail when needed - particularly during holidays, peak periods, and year-end.

You'll work closely with the Managing Director,Commercial Director and Compoany Secretary, playing a central role in shaping budgets, forecasting, and commercial decision-making, while also owning the relationship with external auditors and leading the year-end process.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a small finance team (4 direct reports)

• Hands-on involvement across transactional and core finance when required

• Budgeting, forecasting and commercial financial planning

• Monthly management accounts and financial reporting

• Cashflow management and financial control

• Working closely with MD and Commercial Director on business performance

• Ownership of year-end process and relationship with external auditors

• Building scalable finance processes to support growth

This role is ideal for someone currently operating in an SME or owner-managed environment who enjoys being close to the business and commercially involved - not siloed in a large corporate structure.

You'll be:

• A qualified hands-on Finance Manager (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

• Comfortable managing a small team while staying operationally involved

• Strong on budgets, forecasting and commercial finance

• Confident working directly with senior leadership

• Experienced with year-end, audit and external advisors

• Someone who enjoys building, improving and owning a finance function

• Motivated by progression and ready to step into a Head of Finance role

This role won't suit someone looking for a purely strategic or corporate finance position. It will suit someone who enjoys being close to the business, leading from the front, and wants a clear pathway into a Head of Finance role within a growing SME.

For a confidential discussion, please apply